Video games are a take-it-when-you-can-get it kind of hobby for me. When you throw in work, kids, chores, socializing and exercise, there's not a whole lot of time left in your week to plug hours into the latest must-play RPG or first-person shooter.
So most of my game time happens on a handheld and that experience has been way, way better since I took the plunge and bought the GameSir G8 Plus this summer. It just so happens this controller picked up 4.5 stars when my colleague Nikita reviewed it and currently sits atop our guide to the best gaming controllers.
I could try and tell you about things like its Hall Effect triggers and thumbsticks, customizable back buttons and its accompanying smartphone app — but I won't because honestly I don't know (or care) very much about them.
Firstly, and most importantly, I can use this with my iPhone 16 Pro without having to remove my phone case. For a long time, I used the Backbone One controller, but it always bugged me having to remove the case from my phone before slotting it into place. The GameSir G8 Plus is Bluetooth-powered and much roomier, so all you need to do is extend it, slot your phone in, and you're off to the races.
The next reason I love this controller is that it pairs with just about everything. You can use it with iOS, Android, PC or even the Nintendo Switch. I still use my Switch 1 and the GameSir G8 Plus is much more comfortable than the Joy-Cons on that thing.
When it's fully extended, the G8 Plus measures 9.06 x 4.21 x 2.17 inches. If you don't plan to get a Nintendo Switch 2, you can actually use this controller with a small tablet like the iPad mini 7 or the RedMagic Astra and basically create your own version of the Switch using Apple Arcade.
On Android, I've found that Netflix contains a goldmine of games included with your subscription — many of which boast controller support. For even more Switch-style goodness, you can mirror your phone or tablet on your smart TV and use the GameSir G8 Plus like a regular Bluetooth controller.
The price is right
In a world where costs are constantly increasing, it's refreshing to come across a product that actually seems reasonably priced. The GameSir G8 Plus comes in at $79 / £79 on Amazon as an MSRP but you can often find it reduced. For example, at the time of writing, you can pick it up with a 20% discount at Amazon U.S.
It's not uncommon to find top-tier Bluetooth controllers coming in at well over $100/£100 which — for me — is more than I'm willing to spend.
The one downside
If I had to point out my problem with the GameSir G8 Plus (and I'm being very picky here) it's that it's far too easy to let the battery drain away without realizing it. The controller has a 500mAh battery in each grip, giving a total of 1,000mAh, which comes out to about eight hours of connected playtime.
I don't ever get close to that when I'm actually using the controller, but I always forget to turn it off when I'm done. So the controller gets put down and forgotten about for a couple of days, only for me to come back to a dead battery.
This was also something my colleague Nikita pointed out in her review, noting that: "In comparison, the SteelSeries Nimbus+ / Stratus+ boasts 50 hours of battery life, while the SteelSeries Stratus Duo lasts nearly 20 hours, and the Scuf Nomad gets 16 hours between charges.
"The Backbone Pro blows the G8 Plus out of the water with its 40-hour battery life, but it’s important to remember that it costs nearly double."
So there you go, it's honestly not a dealbreaker but it's something to be aware of.
Bottom line
The GameSir G8 Plus is unquestionably the best gadget I bought for myself this year. It's robust, comfortable to use, versatile and competitively priced. There are several features I didn't even touch on in this piece — you can pop off the faceplates and customize the buttons to your preferred layout. It's also got a built-in 6-axis gyroscope so you can use it with motion-controlled games. As I said, it's versatile.
If you're time-poor when it comes to video games and need a mobile controller to scratch the itch when it appears, I can't recommend the GameSir G8 Plus enough.
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More from Tom's Guide
- I spent the weekend playing PS5 and Switch games using the GameSir G8 Plus — and its performance and versatility blew me away
- I already spend way too much time playing my PS5 — and this mobile controller just made things a whole lot worse
- Best phone controllers 2025: take your mobile gaming to the next level
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